Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Aug 26

For sustainable tourism, we need to protect the cultural environment as well as the natural environment.  We need to respect local cultures and ways of life, and contribute positively to local communities.  

Tourism has the potential of harming both locally and globally… but by practicing green tourism, the harm we cause will be minimized.   

If we’re not careful, we’ll degrade the environment and the cultures we travel to see.What ever your destination, the locals depend on toursim profits to support their economy.  If you go someplace because there are wonderful native handicrafts, you need to buy some of those handicrafts from locals, so they get the money.  

If you’re visiting a national park, you need to employ locals as guides so they will continue to value and protect the park.  Those are the kinds of things that make for sustainable tourism.

Here are some more things to think about when choosing a hotel, a tour group or activity…..

Is the hotel locally owned and operated so that the profits stay in the community?  If not, is it at least staffed by local employees?

How does the hotel contribute to the local community?Does the restaurant’s fruit and vegetables come from local farms?Are the gift shop souvenirs made locally?

If you’re taking a tour, travel with a tour operator who is environmentally responsible.  Smaller group sizes make less of an impact… and make for a more enjoyable tour for you!

Is the group lead by a local guide?  Does the tour company contribute to the local community in some way?  To have sustainable tourism, the local community needs to benefit; not just some global tour company.

Don’t get off the trail when you are hiking.Stay well away from any wildlife you come upon… for your safety AND for theirs.  “Leave only footprints”… carry your trash out or use trash bins.

If you’re snorkeling or diving, don’t touch the coral.It is easy to stir up sediment or damage corals with your fins, so pay close attention.  Either way you can damage the reef’s fragile ecosystem… and most reefs are in trouble now, so they need all of our help.

Try to buy local products…  You’ll support the local economy… and we all need that now no matter what country you’re visiting.  Foods will be fresher, give you a taste of local cuisine and save fuel because they haven’t traveled half way around the world… only YOU have!  Fewer imported products will be needed.  

Never buy anything that you know or suspect is made from endangered animals or plants.  You probably can’t get it through customs, and if you believe in sustainable tourism, you don’t want to contribute to the extinction of another species!  

Treat locals with respect.  You went there to learn about their culture!Know several words… at least hello, good-bye and thank you.  Be open to our cultural differences.  Read up on the area you’ll be visiting so you’ll know how to dress so you don’t offend anyone.  Check to see if there are any behaviors or gestures that will offend your hosts.

Rejoice in our positive differences.  Support them, and you’ll be contributing to sustainable tourism.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on May 7

Part of marketing film produced by Canada to promote part of the country has turned out to have been shot in an English coastal town.

The video was included in a package commissioned by the tourist board in Alberta to help promote and boast visitor numbers. It was intended to show the best features of the Alberta province in Canada and increase levels of Canada holidays in the region. However, when a Canadian man called Peter Bailey saw the film and tried to track down the location to do a bit of sailing, it soon dawned on him that he would have a problem. He initially believed he was seeing images of one of the regions huge lakes but when he looked a little deeper, it turned out to be the North Sea. Confident that the middle of Alberta was at least 300 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 450 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Bailey thought he should let the relevant people know.
The tourist board in Northumberland couldn’t help but see the funny side of the incident when they found out. ” we think its rather funny – Canada trying to sell its landlocked provinces as coastal resorts” stated Sheelagh Caygill. A large proportion of the people of Northumberland were said the be honoured rather than being put out. saying that for Canada to use their scenes in their own video must mean they are really good.

A rather more defensive response was given by Ottawa government when Bailey announced his findings to them. It was used by us simply to “symbolise the fact Albertans are a worldly people” stated a spokesman.Tom Olson who looks after media relations for the Prime Minister suggested “There’s no attempt to mislead here. The picture used just fitted the mood and tone of what we were trying to do.”

Instead of taking the segment of the film out, statements suggest that the production will now include a thank you note to the Northumberland Tourist board. It is safe to say that all involved are a little embarrassed about the situation but hope that it should blow over soon. Among other promotional sets that Canada has recently released include one detailing Alaskan cruises and there will surely be people keeping an keen eye out for passing flamingos in the Alaskan cruises film

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Apr 17

tourist attraction

In recent months, gas prices around the country have really skyrocketed. As a result, more people are looking for the best ways to have a good vacation while staying closer to home base. For the large population that lives in the mid-western part of the country, this has made the tourism travel attractions in and around the Chicago area even more popular than ever.

Perhaps Chicago is not one of the first cities that many people think of when they begin planning a vacation, but because it is so centrally located to a number of major population centers it is really no wonder why people are choosing to travel to this city in record numbers. Chicago boasts numerous places to go and things to see in terms of tourist sites, cultural opportunities, varied recreational activities and a multitude of tourist destinations.

With a great variety of tourist attractions and diverse activities in and around the area, Chicago has earned the reputation as being a tourism area that people from all walks of life can enjoy. Whether you are looking to relax and kick back, or to enjoy high-trends and cultural experiences, Chicago can deliver.

Chicago travel tourism might include a tour of some of the many famous sights around town, such as the famed Wrigley Field. There are also many “Broadway class” shows that one can catch in the Chicago theater district, which can be followed up by an after-show stop at one of the famous jazz bars or blues clubs that are popular with both locals and with out of town visitors alike.

For those who enjoy the more cultural tourist attraction options, there are a wide array of renowned museums in Chicago, such as the very prestigious Art Institute, as one example. The Chicago Historical Society also is considered to be one of the highlights for many tourists of Chicago.

Families who are visiting the “windy city” as their tourist destination will find plenty of interesting things to explore and entertainment to enjoy at places like the Navy Pier, the Field Museum, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. It would not be difficult to spend the entire day strolling through Hyde Park or taking in all the world-class stores that can be found along the Magnificent Mile, which might leave your wallet depleted but your spirits high.

One of the aspects of Chicago and the surrounding area that has made it increasingly popular as a travel tourism hot spot is the eclectic mix of cultures that are evident. Vacation travel tourist info often highlights the vibrant ethnic neighborhoods and architectural landmarks that are just waiting to be discovered.

In addition to that, two of the biggest tourism draws for the Chicago area are their restaurants and their hotel accommodations, which can compete with the best around the globe. From the waters of Lake Michigan to the heights of the Hancock Building and the Sears Tower, Chicago is full of so many wonderful things to do that it is no wonder it is a perpetual favorite tourist destination for so many people.